Harrison Wood getting back on the bike after Tour of Algarve

Torbay pro cyclist Harrison Wood has been told to ease off on his comeback from a broken collarbone, but the delay shouldn’t cost too much action for his new Portuguese team.

Wood, 25, who crashed on the fourth stage of the Tour of the Algarve on February 21, returned to light training on the enclosed tarmac circuit at Paignton’s Torbay Velopark three weeks later.

It was only a fortnight after the operation to repair the damage.

But after a fresh scan, and on advice from the Exeter Chiefs’ physiotherapy department, Wood has postponed his return to full road work for another week.

“The operation went well, and everything is OK, but it was a bad break, in three places,” says Mid-Devon CC member Wood.

“The scan showed that the bone is still healing, so I’m going to put proper road riding on hold for another week.

“But I’ve got a good exercise programme from the Chiefs physio, so that will help.”

Meanwhile, Wood won’t have missed much competition, because his Feirense-Beeceler team is currently suspended for three weeks (Mar 22-Apr 12).

The ban has been imposed because of historical ‘biological passport’ infringements dating back to the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

None of the three riders involved are with Feirense now, yet it’s the current squad that’s been punished by ruling body UCI.

The suspension isn’t particularly harsh either and is similar to that handed to at least one other Portuguese team in similar circumstances.

Meanwhile, the MDCC is gearing up for its 52nd Totnes-Vire Two-Day stage race over the Easter weekend of April 4-5).

Around 50 riders from all over the UK have already signed up, and organiser Mike Gratton has extended the deadline for entries to this Saturday (March 28) to encourage any more latecomers.

The first day will be centred on Torbay, with a 42-mile Closed Circuit race, sprinkled with time bonuses, at the Velopark in the morning (10.45am) and the popular 1K Time Trial up Oddicombe Hill in the afternoon (3.30pm).

The action will then switch to the testing terrain near the start/finish at Hatherleigh on the Sunday (10.30am) for an 82-mile Road Race that usually decides the overall winner.